Osaic welcomes $240M duo from LPL

The South Carolina-based wealth practice caters to retirees, pre-retirees, and small business owners and professionals.

Osaic is starting March on a strong note as it welcomes more than $240 million in assets from two former LPL advisors.

Based in South Carolina, Sturkie Wealth Management Group is a new independent wealth management firm that caters to retirees, pre-retirees, and small business owners and professionals.

With an emphasis on investment management and strategic wealth planning tailored to each client’s circumstances, Sturkie Wealth draws on the experience of its founder Stephen Sturkie and wealth advisor Josip “Joe” Dunat, as well as support from client service associate Azzharo G. Vrolijk and client associate Melinda Hudson-Dailey.

A veteran of the industry, Sturkie has more than 26 years of experience in the financial space, including a 25-year record of registration with Finra.

He and Dunat are joining Osaic’s platform from LPL Financial, where Sturkie spent the last 12 years, bringing with them over $240 million in client assets.

“We chose Osaic for the freedom, flexibility, and growth potential it afforded both our firm and clients,” Sturkie said in a statement. “We are looking to continue delivering world-class service and technology to our clients, while enhancing their overall experience with us, and feel Osaic will allow us to do that and more.”

“Supporting advisors so that they can provide the best possible experience to their clients is the heart of what we do at Osaic,” said Kristen Kimmell, executive vice president for business development at Osaic. “Stephen and the team at Sturkie Wealth have built a thriving practice based on hard work, integrity and a relentless focus on doing what is best for their clients, and we are proud to partner with them and look forward to helping them achieve the next stage of success.”

Last month, Osaic lost ground to LPL when Bice Wealth Management, an independent practice in North Carolina, switched to LPL. That practice is headed by veteran advisor Cubby Bice, who oversaw about $130 million in assets.

Earlier in February, LPL also snatched assets from Osaic as it signed Equity Design Group, a three-advisor team in Wisconsin that managed roughly $520 million in assets.